Identification And Validation of Pivotal Genes Related To Meniscus Senescence Based On Gene Expression Profiling Analysis And In Vivo And In Vitro Models Detection

Abstract

Background: The compositional change in the meniscus with aging would increase the tissue vulnerability of the meniscus, which would induce meniscus tearing. Here, we investigated the molecular mechanism of age-related meniscus degeneration with gene expression profiling analysis, and validate pivotal genes in vivo and in vitro models.Methods: The GSE45233 dataset, including 6 elderly meniscus samples and 6 younger meniscus samples, was downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database. To screen the differential expression of mRNAs, identify the miRNAs targeting hub genes, and forecast the potentially toxic drugs, we completed a series of bioinformatics analyses, including functional and pathway enrichment, protein-protein interaction network, hub genes screening, construction of a lncRNA–miRNA–mRNA network, and molecular docking of potential drugs. Furthermore, crucial genes were examined in human senescent menisci, mouse senescent meniscus tissues and mouse meniscus cells stimulated by IL-1β.Results: In total, the most significant 4 hub genes (RRM2, AURKB, CDK1, and TIMP1), 5 miRNAs (hsa-miR-6810-5p, hsa-miR-4676-5p, hsa-miR-6877-5p, hsa-miR-8085, and hsa-miR-6133) that regulated such 4 hub genes, and potential toxic drugs (Cladribine, Danusertib, Barasertib, Riviciclib, and Dinaciclib) that had a targeting effect on these genes, were finally identified. Moreover, these hub genes were decreased in meniscus cells in vitro and meniscus tissues in vivo, which indicated that hub genes were related to meniscus senescence and could serve as potential biomarkers for age-related meniscus tearing.Conclusions: In short, the integrated analysis of gene expression profile, co-expression network, and models detection identified pivotal genes, which elucidated the possible molecular basis underlying the senescence meniscus and also provided prognosis clues for early-onset age-related meniscus tearing.